Structure 34, EU 34-g, Elaborated Kiva Closing - In the west half of this late 10th century kiva, at least 16 formally buried turkeys and poults, 3 dogs, a cottontail rabbit and a beheaded rattlesnake were placed on the floor and surrounded by flat stones before being carefully covered with soil and wooden roof beams. The condition of the bones confirmed adequate protection of the bones was given...and worked for 1100 years. With the possible exception of the headless rattlesnake, none of the animal skeletons showed signs of trauma or strangulation. The construction of separate stone 'crypts' suggests these critters were revered and their bodies were treated respectfully despite the fact that they had been dispatched.

Structure 36 (to right) at start of excavation on north end of this proto kiva. After several episodes of this structure burning, complete remodels including roof replacement and raising the floor were performed. The final use was as a roasting pit where the remains of several very large deer and at least 10 deer mandibles were deposited into the upper fill. Deer mandibles are thought to have had ritual value.

In the spring of 2004, following a successful grant application from the Colorado Historical Fund, a program of the Colorado Historical Society, assessment work was initiated at the Champagne Spring (Greenlee) Ruins. The study was designed to evaluate site significance from the perspectives of size, function and temporal placement. With the help of Eastern Illinois and Southern Illinois Universities, a complete remote sensing study using four different methods was performed at both the North and South Hill sites. These scans indicate that Champagne Spring contains approximately 250 surface rooms and 50 kivas/pit structures including a great kiva and at least one oversized pit structure.

Topographical Mapping, Geophysical Studies, and Archaeological Testing​ of an Early Pueblo II Village Near Dove Creek CO was published in 2006 and details the assessment of the site. You can access this report by clicking on the link to the upper left side of this page.

2013 Excavations in SS-Room 1 - An early version of this room may have been used for jewelry work. Twenty four small pieces of Azurite/ Malachite were found between the use-compacted final floor and an earlier more formal floor. The masonry bin was part of the earlier building. Stone lined hearth was made for the later room.

​Structure 37 - This early kiva was abandoned near the end of the 10th century and was ceremonially closed through a massive animal sacrifice ritual and structure burning. After the sacrifice and burials were made, the animals were covered by stones and layers of soil. Shown here is the excavation in the south end of the kiva at 50 cm above the floor. A stone and soil cone-shaped monument or shrine was built to house many of the burials. After the kiva was abandoned and after several years had passed, the remainder of the structure was filled with soil and what remained of the roof was burned.

After a long day, an impromptu jam session with Dave and accompanying guitar and fiddle

After animal burials removed from a portion of Kiva 37. Bottom of stone cone monument that contained over 50 buried birds including turkey poults and an American Crow. This stone feature was centered over the top of a subfloor ventilator. An above floor ventilator was also constructed and appears to have been in use simultaneously with the below floor vent. Dates to around A.D. 975-1000.

Site map of Champagne Spring North Hill Complex. Note central plaza with great kiva. This plaza contains 7 other pit structures of early kivas and all were ceremonially closed through various methods including burning, roof salvage then burning with complete array of tools, pottery vessels, axes, awls, and other high input items.

Special Room SS Rm 1, may have been a jewelry manufacturing facility. Seen here are azurite pieces from this structure. This room and at least one or two others appear to be associated with the great kiva.

Structure 37 (at left), Lots to document here. Approximately 50 animals were sacrificed and buried within a stone shrine placed over the sub floor ventilator.